Responsible tourism

Responsible tourism: Cambodia photography vacation

Environment

In marked difference to some photography trips, and in keeping with our philosophy, this tour emphasizes photography that appreciates local people, their cultures and religions, and encourages a positive impact on the places and people it visits.

Please note that all group sizes are between 2 and 9 persons. Groups are accompanied at all times by a professional photographer and one or more local guides. All transportation is organized by local operators and using local drivers. We feel that our ‘discreet’ group sizes lead to less impact both on the environment and the people that we visit as well as allowing for more supervision, advice and explanations with the high ratio of guides/tour-leader to clients.

Information: Providing suitable, relevant information for our customers; to help them to gain a wider understanding of our style of tourism that focuses on learning, genuine interaction with the local communities, reciprocity and cultural exchange processes. To be aware of the potential impact of tourism on the local society, culture and environment, and to behave and dress appropriately with a respect and appreciation for local customs, mores and traditions and a respect for the ecology of areas visited. Our guides and leaders thus facilitate communication of our values to both travelers and local communities, educating them in sustainable tourism practices

Group sizes: By limiting groups to small sizes we aim to reduce the impact on both local communities and the environment whilst allowing for greater genuine interaction with said communities. It also results in a higher guide/customer ratio thus greater facility for supervision and individual assistance and allows us to use smaller hotels and restaurants and employ the services of more genuinely ‘local’ operators perhaps not otherwise well equipped for larger groups.

Destinations: We combine the well known tourist sites with many off-the-beaten-track, rarely visited destinations thus diverting tourist revenue and contact with responsible tourism into areas not usually benefiting as well as providing a more authentic view of the region visited.

Community

With regular visits to the sites (and if present souvenir shops) we help sustain local businesses and enterprises, such as the handicraft school for handicapped persons in Siem Reap, to the ‘land-mine museum’ in Siem Reap where we help support the organizer’s mine clearance operations through donations.

Local products: As much as possible we aim to employ local personnel, (guides, drivers, agents etc), use local restaurants and smaller privately owned accommodation. Customers are also encouraged to buy and use local products and services as much as possible in order to support and stimulate the local economy.

Instruction: By explaining our methods and the reasons behind them local agents, guides and hotels are encouraged by us to adopt further responsible tourism practices themselves and guides and drivers are provided with additional training in this respect.

7 Reviews of Cambodia photography vacation

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Reviewed on 18 Feb 2018 by Greg Evans

1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?

The interaction with local people, the temples and local markets plus Jeff the guide was fantastic!

2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?

Leave with open minds and open hearts, the people of Cambodia are fantastic The photography was great and you learn heaps from Jeff.

3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?

Definitely, the number of times I was thanked for coming to Cambodia indicated the benefits directly affecting the locals. The visit to a local primary school was also a highlight.

4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?

It was fantastic!

Reviewed on 17 Aug 2018 by Hector Mainar

1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?

Being in the markets, surrounded by local people who didn't seem like seeing a lot of occidental people around. Under the rain, with all the kids playing around, people selling their stuff on the floor. Authentic Asia.

2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?

Prepare for traveling on a non-conventional way: you won't see the monuments or hotspots. You will mix among the local people, and see their daily routine. You will take more portraits than the typical travel photography. Forget about massive tourism!

3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?

We travelled in a sustainable way, with local people, buying in markets, having lunch at local spots.

4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?

Really amazing. My first time traveling alone, and was a really authentic and different vacation.

Reviewed on 07 Jan 2018 by Charlys Trevino

1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?

There were many memorable parts to this vacation. I would say the road trip to Seim Reap was filled with several cool stops along the way. The remote, not so known temples in Angkor were really nice. I also believe the dynamics of the people in our small group made the trip really memorable. I made friendships that will continue far beyond this vacation.

2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?

Do your research on the country , known what you are signing up for. This vacation is not for the resort minded traveler. Ask more questions regarding the details of the long hauls. I didn't realize the days we traveled either by boat or land would be such long distances. If you enjoy integrating with the local people this is the best part of the this tour!

3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?

I believe it did benefit the local people.

4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?

Overall I would rate this vacation good but needs improvement. The photography part of the tour was great, I learned tons from Gary on taking pictures. He was helpful and patient with the many questions. He graciously accompanied us for dinners even though I am sure he was tired of being with us all day. He was knowledgeable about the country and the people and showed great compassion for them. I would have liked some debriefing at the end of each day to get a pulse of how well I was doing with his suggestions etc.

The boat we took for almost 8 hours down the Sangkar river was far from optimal, the toilet facility on board was not good and I avoided drinking much water in order not to need to use it. Not staying hydrated on an approx. 8 hour boat trip in the sun was not my idea of a good time. I do believe the cost of the tour warranted a decent boat. The accommodations once we reached Battambang was again less then optimal. The hotel was overall dirty and worn. Towels and bed linings were stained etc. My roommate and I found better accommodations and stayed there instead. I would definitely recommend this hotel to be taken off the list of places to stay for future tours. There also was an expectation to tip all in this tour. A little forewarning of this expectation would have been good so that I would have come prepared to do so. Tips were requested for all drivers, guides etc. I thought this was covered in the cost. Of course I wouldn't mind tipping above and beyond for impressionable service etc. but this should be spelled out.

Read the operator's response here:

Thank you for your comments Charlys and we are delighted that the photography aspects of this tour matched up to your expectations and that the photographer was not just informative but also enjoyable company.

I appreciate your comments regarding the final leg of the tour which takes you off the beaten track through the Cambodian countryside to Battambang. Toilets on the boats although usually basic, are normally of an acceptable standard and it is regrettably on this occasion you did not find them so and that you were caused discomfort by this. We will review the accommodation in Battambang.

Our advise to all who travel with us concerning tips is that the staff are all paid at least the going rate for the country and that tips are for excellent service and for this reason we don't add them automatically to the cost of the tour. Sorry this was not made clear to you.

Reviewed on 25 Feb 2016 by Jon Lane

1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?

The whole trip is something I will remember for a lifetime for all the right reasons, the people, the places, the adventure.

2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?

Take it for what it is, don't expect 5* luxury and don't expect to be waited on hand & foot, it's an adventure, take every day as it comes and expect the unexpected, eat with the locals, laugh with the locals and don't take yourself too seriously. Our photographic guide will be a friend for years to come.Ohh and don't expect to come home nice and refreshed as if you have had a beach vacation, take an extra couple of days to recover!

3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?

I believe so, all local companies & people used for accommodation, travel and food with exception of the main flights.

4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?

10 of of 10, now got to start saving for the next one.

Reviewed on 16 Jan 2011 by Phillip Edwards

1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?

I will admit that the main (only?) reason I booked this trip was to visit Angkor Wat and a photography tour that included the main temples at Angkor suited my requirements. I am pleased to say that sunrise at Angkor Wat was as spine tingling as I had hoped.

However, this trip was so much more than Angkor Wat.

2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?

This trip would suit a novice photographer, as there was plenty of opportunity for playing with camera settings and practising new skills. Bring your instruction manual so you know how to change these settings! The tour leader provided some theory sessions to help get you started, and these were conducted during the heat of the day when taking pictures is least favourable. However, the more advanced photographer will not be disadvantaged, as there is time to explore at your leisure.

3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?

Where possible, we used local services.

4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?

Before this trip, I was very reluctant to take pictures of people, and those that I had tried were not very natural. The people of Cambodia were so friendly and so relaxed about having their photo taken that it was a pleasure to be in their company. This helped me relax and the charm of the locals is evident in my photos.

Without exaggeration, this trip has caused me to rethink my photography as well as my vacations in general.

Reviewed on 25 Feb 2011 by Peggy Mckenzie

1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?

Making our way to Angkor Wat early morning whilst still dark and standing by the reflecting pool waiting for dawn. As the sky gradually lit up we were able to pick out the shape of Angkor Wat and focused our cameras as the sky gradually lit up - very exciting. Also to be with Nathan (who took the photography group) who was on hand to enable us to get some good shots!

2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?

Take plenty of memory cards for your camera and enjoy talking to the locals.

3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?

Hopefully in a small way.

4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?

First rate for a photographic vacation - I learnt lots and very helpful being with a professional photographer who lived there and knew the local language and the best places to go to.

Reviewed on 11 Apr 2010 by Sharon Brayley

1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?

Nathan had infectious enthusiasm throughout for both the local people, culture and photography. A fantastic experience and I met some great people both in the group and locally. I also learnt a lot more about photography and how to get the best out of my camera.

2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?

I didn't need my walking boots! Felt very safe . Exchange to dollars.

3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?

yes

4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?

brilliant , definitely would recommend it if you have any interest in photography and local culture/ people